Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Brady Ophus, Havre High Football

During his career as a Blue Pony football player, Brady Ophus has inched his way up the depth chart, starting on special teams and finally earning his way into the starting lineup.

Now in his senior season, Ophus, a starting cornerback for the Ponies is getting set to play his final home game Friday night, at Blue Pony Stadium, when the Havre High football team hosts Livingston.

And as far as the senior is concerned, he is hoping to go out in style.

"It's a really important game for us, especially us seniors," Ophus said. "We really want to get that first win and we want to show people that we still have the Blue Pony spirit."

For Ophus and the rest of the senior class, the 2017 season has been a tough one. The Ponies come into Friday's game with an 0-7 record. Their opponent, Livingston, is also 0-7, which means both teams will be motivated to try to get into the win column.

However, for the Ponies and the seniors especially, the game will mean even more. For Opus, a two-year starter, it will be his final home game, which means win or lose, he will take the fabled walk with the rest of the seniors, going hand-in-hand from end zone to end zone, one last time.

"It's kind of hard to think about," Ophus said. "But I am just going to try and enjoy it and take it all in as much as I can."

Over the past two seasons, Ophus, who is also a varsity tennis player for the Ponies and an outfielder for the Havre North Stars American Legion Baseball team, has developed into a solid cover corner. As a junior, seeing snaps as the nickelback, Ophus notched three interceptions. And this season, in the first game of the year against Hardin, Ophus added his fourth.

"The thing I like about corner, is it's not as complex," Ophus said. "You don't have to worry as much as some of the other players, because most of the time, your job is the same."

The first game of the season was the closest the Ponies came to getting a win, losing 15-7. Havre also had a good chance against Glendive. The Ponies lost the game 36-26, but held the lead in the fourth quarter.

But with a motivated group of seniors, Ophus included, the Ponies are determined to make things go their way this time and Friday night at 7, they will get their shot. Yet, before Havre takes the field to take on the Rangers, the Havre Daily News caught up with Ophus for five questions.

HDN: What's it like to think this will be your last home game?

Ophus: "It's kind of hard to believe. But in each of the last few home games, I have just been trying to take it all in and enjoy it as much as I can while it lasts."

HDN: So of all the sports you play, do you have a favorite one?

Ophus: "Football has always been my go-to sport. But as my senior year is going on, I am just looking forward to whatever sport is next."

HDN: What have you enjoyed most about being a Havre football player?

Ophus: "The thing I have enjoyed the most is just the experience and the friendships. I have made a lot of great friends and I will always remember just going out with your homies and fighting together."

HDN: Looking back, what was one of your favorite moments as a Havre football player?

Ophus: "Last year, when we played Miles City at home, we kicked off and they were driving and got the ball down to like the 15. They threw one up in the end zone and I picked it off. You could tell in the game it was a big play for momentum. It was a really good game, and after, it just gave me a really great feeling."

HDN: How important is it for you seniors especially to beat Livingston?

Ophus: "It would mean a lot honestly. You kind of push to the side that you haven't won a game yet. But it would honestly make my whole season, because we can't go to the playoffs, we are very limited, but if we could get this win at home for the fans, that would turn my season around."